News Release: Emory Healthcare
Nov. 16, 2009
Emory University Hospital Auxiliary Donates $143,000 for ICU Waiting Area Renovations
Emory University HospitalWith seriously ill patients spending so much time, from many days to weeks, in intensive care units within Emory University Hospital, many - from spouses and parents, to close friends and other family members - also spend an exceptionally long period of time at the hospital to support their loved one through those critical days and nights of their recovery.
The Emory University Hospital Auxiliary recently made a major investment toward ensuring those friends, family members and visitors will have a much more comfortable place to relax while they are at the hospital supporting the patient.
The group recently presented a check for $143,000 to Chief Operating Officer Robert Bachman for the renovation of the hospital's 5EICU waiting rooms. The enhancements included new furniture, pictures, lamps and paint schemes.
"Emory Healthcare and Emory University Hospital have worked very hard to create a patient and family centered model of care, which means we focus a great deal of attention on the family member as care-giver," says Bachman. "Evidence based- medicine has shown that critically ill patients who are strongly supported by loved ones have a better - and quicker - rate of recovery. We wanted to ensure that our valued patients and their guests who will spend a good part of a day in our hospital have a comfortable, bright and inviting environment. Through the incredible hard work and generosity of the Emory Hospital auxiliary, we can better support the family members who team with our physicians and nurses in providing care to our patients."
"This wonderful gift represents the continued tradition the Emory University Hospital Auxiliary has built for more than half a century," says Tracy Russell-Gonzalez, director of Guest and Volunteer Services, Emory Healthcare. "The men and women who comprise this auxiliary work day in and day out with little recognition, but the people who make up this small army of volunteers are absolutely invaluable to us. Many patients, visitors and family members will benefit from the hard work of these tireless heroes."
For more than 50 years, the auxiliary has been an important part of Emory University Hospital. Auxiliary members have donated thousands of hours of their time, talent and resources, and have raised millions of dollars to ensure the hospitals continue to offer the most caring and physically appealing environment. Since 1990, the auxiliary group at Emory has raised and donated more than $1.6 million, and has logged hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours.
These dedicated volunteers raise funds primarily through hospital gift shops, but they can also be found in many other areas of each hospital, including intensive care units, same-day surgical waiting areas, and working on special projects, such as community health screenings.
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